The Joe Schmo Show Is Coming To Spike

by Spike TVAugust 14, 2012 at 2:00PM
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Views: 20,139

Spike TV has once again turned the tables on the reality show genre with "The Joe Schmo Show" The one-hour, 10-episode series features one real guy who believes he is on a new, over-the-top reality show looking for America's next bounty hunter, but is actually surrounded entirely by actors. His cast-mates are a motley crew of reality show clichés including Lorenzo Lamas, playing himself, who must do their best under these unusual circumstances to follow a pre-determined outline.

One of television's biggest and riskiest experiments once again looks to discover how would a reality contestant react to encountering a show filled with every outlandish element reality television has showcased. How far can producers push this 'reality,' and the ensuing ridiculous competitions? And of course, will the actors be convincing enough or will the unsuspecting "contestant" figure it all out?

The true hero of the show undoubtedly is the "Joe," who demonstrates a keen sense of integrity and humanity, even under duress from the absurd predicaments he finds himself in.

In this installment, the "Joe" believes he has been cast as one of several contestants in a new reality-competition series where the winner will become a bounty hunter. The "Joe" will face an assortment of bounty hunting-related challenges from learning how to defuse a bomb to interrogating a hostile witness, totally oblivious to the fact that all the crazy situations he is placed in are scripted. Ralph Garman reprises his role from the first two "Joe Schmo" seasons as the show "host" along with a cast that showcases stereotypical reality show participants, ranging from the ditsy model to the self-absorbed, attention-grabbing jerk.

The original season of "Joe Schmo" debuted on Spike in September 2003 and was among television's first faux reality series. One of the highest rated series in the history of Spike TV, the finale drew 3.4 million viewers.

Spike TV will reveal further details of the show, including the identity of the Joe in the coming months. The series taped over two weeks in July in Los Angeles.

"The Joe Schmo Show" is created and produced by Barry Poznick and John Stevens of Zoo Productions, an All3 media company. John Holland Moore serves as Executive Producer.

Sharon Levy is Spike TV's Executive Vice President, Original Series and Jeff Savaiano serves as Executive in Charge of Production, Spike TV.